The genus is currently restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, but fossils classified in the genus have been found from Late Miocene deposits in Arabia and Europe.

The dense fur is grey or brown and either one or two stripes are present on the back.

Unlike most other muroids, these mice have only three fingers on each hand.

Elevation ranges from sea-level to 4300 m. Anecdotal evidence suggests they are arboreal, but data supporting this hypothesis are limited.

They do appear to be good climbers and the degree to which they spend time in trees seems to vary by species.